WWE Raw Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from Nov. 16

A common thread of hunger and the pursuit of opportunity ran through most of WWE Raw on Nov. 16, at least the good parts.

The WWE World Heavyweight Championship tournament produced a trio of compelling matches where Superstars were desperate to make it closer to snaring gold. Roman Reigns flourished in a victory over Cesaro. Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler excelled together. Neville stole the headlines of his bout despite losing.

WWE delivered the expected, both in outcome and quality. Fans knew Reigns and Ambrose would advance. They also knew their paths to victory would be highly entertaining.

It was with the order of that show that Raw created its biggest surprise. Charlotte and Paige's contract signing closed the show. That was a win in some ways, but Paige's last line was uncalled for. WWE incorporated too much reality in that war of words.

Where the show failed most, though, was not adding to the Survivor Series card. No traditional elimination matches found their way on the pay-per-view. WWE looked as if it thinks it has another week left to build toward the show.

In two sober moments, WWE offered a moment of silence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday night, and later a video tribute to Nick Bockwinkel.

The following is a look at everything else the night had to offer, breaking down all of the matches and promos that comprised the go-home edition of Raw.

Families Face off

Chanting druids led Undertaker and Kane to the ring. The Brothers of Destruction promised vengeance against The Wyatt Family as blue light radiated on them.

Bray Wyatt soon led his clan out to meet them. Wyatt said it was no longer Undertaker's time, that he would be remembered for destroying them.

When the lights came on, the druids had sheep masks on. They attacked, but The Brothers of Destruction swatted them away.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Standing before you is the true army of darkness."—Undertaker.

"Bray Wyatt, you're kind of evil is no match for ours."—Undertaker.

"You no longer dictate when wolves howl or lightning crashes. Those privileges are now reserved for me."—Wyatt.

Grade

C+

Analysis

A potentially great moment ended too quickly and the villains were thwarted too easily. Wyatt's masked men got steamrolled in seconds. How does that benefit Wyatt if his henchman are like gnats to Undertaker and Kane?

The Wyatt Family hasn't put the babyfaces in danger since right after Hell in a Cell. This was a great chance to do that.

As a result, despite the segment feeling big with the druids, it didn't do much to advance the feud. Wyatt and family still feel like massive underdogs who aren't yet in Undertaker and Kane's league.

Neville vs. Kevin Owens (WWE Title Tournament Quarterfinal)

Neville's speed and agility had Kevin Owens reeling early. The intercontinental champ, though, flung Neville face-first on the guardrail to even things up.

After just avoiding getting counted out, Neville went on a flurry filled with several big, high-flying moves. The acrobat missed the Red Arrow, allowing Owens to end the bout with a pop-up powerbomb.

Result

Owens won via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Neville hit a moonsault off the top to the outside of the ring onto Owens.

"You should have counted faster."—Owens to referee Mike Chioda.

Neville drove Owens' head into the mat with a reverse Frankensteiner.

Grade

B+

Analysis

Without a surplus of ring time, Owens and Neville still managed to infuse Raw with buzzing energy.

Despite the loss, Neville came out looking excellent here. He is again playing the guy who makes it to the cusp of success only to fail, but his failures have been really fun to watch.

Good chemistry, smart booking and two talented stars made for a winning formula. WWE would be wise to keep finding high-profile spots for Neville. He makes the most of them each time out.

Tyler Breeze vs. R-Truth

Tyler Breeze ran from R-Truth at first, hiding in the ropes. He then pounced on the rapper. Prince Pretty showed off viciousness with hard stomps and forearm shots.

R-Truth responded with a scissors kick, but fell anyway. The Beauty Shot kept him down for a three-count.

Result

Breeze wion via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

Summer applied lip balm to Breeze mid-match.

Grade

C

Analysis

Why did the announcers decide to label this "one more win" for Breeze when it was his very first win on the main roster? They should have made this a bigger deal despite it coming against a low-rung star like R-Truth. 

Not giving Prince Pretty more time to show off his aggression was a mistake. If you're going to book a squash match to put a guy over, don't do halfway. 

The part that WWE and Breeze is getting right are all of the add-ons and details of his character. The next step will be to convince the crowd he's a threat in spite of his outlandish gimmick.

Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler (WWE Title Tournament Quarterfinal)

Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose stuck to mat wrestling in the opening moments. The two babyfaces fought to a stalemate, managing to avoid each other's best moves.

The bout morphed into more of a slugfest. Ambrose made Ziggler woozy with punches. The Showoff responded with knee-buckling kicks.

Neither could put the either away until Ambrose nailed his foe with Dirty Deeds.

The Lunatic Fringe grabbed the mic and talked about what he would do differently as world champ.

Result

Ambrose won via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"You can't operate like you have life tomorrow in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship picture."—Byron Saxton.

Each man punched the other off the top rope to the floor.

Ziggler paid tribute to Shawn Michaels by "tuning up the band."

Ambrose slingshot Ziggler into the ring post.

"I want more pyro. I want breakfast for dinner. Replace Michael Cole with a fish tank."—Ambrose.

Ambrose said he wants to make the WWE Universe the "Ambrose Asylum."

Grade

A

Analysis

This was a showcase of two of WWE's top performers. They built up the pace of the bout beautifully. Going from mat clinic to brawl gave it a rising arc that pulled in the audience.

Both men looked desperate. Both men looked evenly matched. 

John "Bradshaw" Layfield talking up the importance of the WWE title added an extra layer.

Ambrose's promo at the end showed another glimpse of how entertaining he would be as the company centerpiece. His speech was one part CM Punk, one part Brian Pillman. We need to see more of that in some fashion. 

The New Day vs. Ryback and The Usos

The New Day bemoaned the lack of attention they are getting. Big E then mocked Jey Uso's injury.

The tag champ grounded Jey, keeping the high-flyer in their corner, taking turns pounding on him. Big E enraged Ryback with a slap in the face. That led The Big Guy to go on a tear. In the process, he pushed the referee aside, which earned him a disqualification.

He and The Usos then attacked The New Day, leaving the heels lying.

Result

The New Day won via disqualification. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"My grandpappy had a saying. 'When life gives you booty, make booty-ade."—Big E.

The Usos wore the colors of the French flag on their face paint.

"The Usos don't know any other way. It's full speed ahead."—Byron Saxton.

Grade

C

Analysis

The wrestlers showed off some classic tag psychology with the referee not seeing Ryback tag in. The New Day have been great heels in the ring and on the mic. That was true again here, but this was far from a special match.

It felt like filler because WWE hasn't done nearly enough to get this feud rolling.

And there was a huge missed opportunity here with the chaos not leading to The Usos demanding each three-man team add a member and have a traditional Survivor Series match on Sunday.

Roman Reigns vs. Cesaro (WWE Title Tournament Quarterfinal)

Backstage, Triple H praised Cesaro, teasing that he wants the strongman to join The Authority.

Roman Reigns spoke in the ring, catching fans up on recent storylines. He talked about seizing the WWE title no matter how bumpy the road gets.

Cesaro outwrestled Reigns in the early going, controlling him on the mat. The King of Swing then drove his foe's right shoulder into the ring post before pouncing with hard strikes. 

A hurting Reigns struggled to fend off Cesaro. But Cesaro hitting his elbow on the ring apron caused a shift in the match.

The two titans then traded haymakers. A Superman Punch stunned Cesaro, but it was a spear that finally did him in.

They shook hands afterward.

Result

Reigns won via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Maybe it's time to grab that brass ring."—Triple H to Cesaro.

Cesaro feigned an uppercut and tapped Reigns' shoulder.

Cesaro cartwheeled off the top rope to evade Reigns. 

"Sometimes the brass ring doesn't have to be grabbed. It can be knocked out of the sky with an uppercut."—John "Bradshaw" Layfield.

Reigns prevented a running uppercut with a boot to the chin.

Cesaro countered Reigns' apron dropkick into the Cesaro Swing.

Reigns countered a crossface into a Samoan Drop.

Grade

A+

Analysis

WWE officials had to be giddy as this unfolded. Reigns and Cesaro put on a thriller.

Reigns' inconsistent selling of his injured arm certainly deserves some criticism, but other than that there's only praise to hand out. Reigns added to his growing collection of standout singles matches. Cesaro looked like a one-man circus act again.

Even Michael Cole was on his game, providing big-time passion to the action.

The Reigns win was expected. He really had to earn it, which helps the ongoing story. Still, WWE is going to need a swerve of some sort to prevent fans from rolling their eyes at Reigns becoming champ.

The Ascension vs. The Dudley Boyz

Credit: WWE.com

Konnor and Viktor dominated Bubba Ray Dudley at first. But the match didn't last long, and The Dudley Boyz responded with a Dudley Death Drop for the quick win.

Result

The Dudley Boyz won via pinfall. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"Shut your mouth. You shut your mouth."—Konnor to D-Von Dudley.

Grade

D-

Analysis

The bout had a hurried arc. It was a classic comeback-by-the-faces story, but done in the time it takes to walk to the fridge and back.

The Dudley Boyz continue to be so-so since their return. They haven't shown strong chemistry with anyone of late.

Beyond that, the match had no Survivor Series implications for some reason. Why isn't The Cosmic Wasteland adding a teammate and gearing up for a traditional Survivor Series bout? 

Not having Stardust around hurt The Ascension, too. He's been the reason they have been semi-relevant. 

Alberto Del Rio vs. Kalisto (WWE Title Tournament Quarterfinal)

Credit: WWE.com

Triple H again tried to convince a tournament entrant to join the dark side. Backstage, he implied that he could help boost Alberto Del Rio's career if he joined The Authority.

Del Rio throttled Kalisto, dismantling him with a measured pace. The United States champ and the high-flyer stumbled in a few awkward sequences. They managed to move past them and pick up the pace with some back-and-forth action.

A diving foot stomp to the champ ended the contest.

Result

Del Rio won via pinfall.

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"You could go from being a man of the people to just 'the man."—Triple H to Del Rio.

"Is it midnight yet for Cinderella?"—Michael Cole. 

Del Rio accidentally ripped off Kalisto's mask.

Del Rio countered Salida Del Sol by throwing Kalisto onto the top rope.

Grade

D

Analysis

Flashes of great chemistry between these won't be the story here; All the botches will. A series of slip-ups hurt the match, and Del Rio having to put Kalisto's mask on to cover his mistake was the worst of the bunch.

All of the other quarterfinals set the bar extremely high. Del Rio and Kalisto were unable to reach it.

Hopefully, that doesn't sour WWE on Kalisto's potential. He can be far more successful than the original Sin Cara. He's going to need some good matches to counteract this one as soon as possible, though.

Divas Championship Contract Signing

Credit: WWE.com

Michael Cole hosted, asking Paige and Charlotte what went wrong with their friendship.

Champion and challenger bickered. Charlotte talked about the two of them growing up in wrestling families. She talked about her brother passing away, to fulfill his dream.

Charlotte dismissed Paige's championship credentials, saying she's not a good enough role model. Paige mocked her and Ric Flair.

Paige then insulted Charlotte's dead brother, inciting a brawl that a group of referees struggled to break up. 

Memorable Moments and Quotes

"It must be exhausting to be this bitter and angry all the time."—Charlotte to Paige.

"When I lose that title, it won't be this Sunday. And it damn sure won't be to someone like you."—Charlotte to Paige.

Paige called Flair an "old fart."

Grade

C-

Analysis

This was an extremely hard segment to grade. There are positive to point to, as well as what it lacked. And it climaxed with cheap ploy.

Paige and Charlotte did their part. They were strong on the mic, showed convincing emotion and bettered the anticipation for the match on Sunday. All wins there.

The first issue is that WWE has done so little up to this point that this moment felt somewhat hollow. WWE talked up the women's friendship, something fans haven't really seen up to this point. They were in a group for five minutes together. 

This was the final chapter of a book missing 50 pages in the middle.

Paige being asked to bring up Reid Flair's death is a mistake. It's an unsettling tactic that crosses a line. It didn't work with Rey Mysterio and Batista incorporating Eddie Guerrero's death, and it didn't work here.